Abstract
In 48 patients with various hepatic diseases high-energy laser irradiation has been used in order to provide adequate parenchymal hemo- and cholestasis. This effect has been achieved by treating the wound surface of liver with CO2 (36 patients) and YAG laser beam (8 patients) as well as tissue incision with the contact laser scalpel (4 patients). Hermetization of large vessels and bile ductules during anatomical and nonanatomical liver resection (19 patients) has been achieved by application of mechanical suturing devices. Two patients (4.2%) died after the operation. No complications connected with laser application occurred. Our experience speaks for the effectiveness of laser application in hepatic surgery as well as its usefulness in clinical practice.
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